News Feature

Blue HillOriginally published in
Community News, January 16, 2014
Blue Hill Community food grant program accepting applications

Area residents are encouraged to apply for a community food grant program. Maine Farmland Trust serves as the grant administrator and is now accepting proposals for projects or programs intended to increase food sustainability and improve the health and well-being of Blue Hill Peninsula residents, the trust announced in a news release.

In addition to meeting these goals, successful applications will be those that place an emphasis on creating a more just and sustainable local food system through food production, education, or related projects. High priority is placed on projects that also demonstrate benefit to the broader community.

Applicants can apply to receive grants of up to $3,000, which will be awarded based on the merits of the proposal and the likelihood of project completion.

For 2014, a single, $10,000 grant award is also available for a project that can help meet a larger scale community food need. The definition of “community food need” is quite flexible, and may include infrastructure projects such as a grain silo or mobile butchering unit, or smaller-scale projects that will affect a significantly large number of people in the community. The review committee will weigh the community impact of a proposed project most heavily when considering proposals for this $10,000 infrastructure grant.

Grants are available for nonprofit organizations, schools, community groups, or individuals. Projects or programs must be carried out in the towns of Blue Hill, Sedgwick, Penobscot, Castine, Orland, Surry, Deer Isle, Stonington, Brooksville, or Brooklin.

The deadline for applications is Sunday, February 23, at midnight. Decisions and grant awards will be made by March 21. The application can be found online at mainefarmlandtrust.org, under “program areas.”